We all know at least one person who went away to college and didn't make it. They came home because they were homesick, or they didn't like sharing a space with a stranger. Maybe they couldn't live away from their parents or they didn't know how to make new friends. Whatever the reason, everyone's first time living away from their home is always challenging so it makes sense to give your kid experience with this before they have to do it when it really counts. A recent article by NBC News suggests going to sleepaway camp to give kids the chance to build the skills they need to be successful living away from home.

Most of kids we work with express feelings of anxiety with moving away from home. Even the kids that seem the most excited at the idea of leaving their parents or leaving their city are scared to actually do it. These fears are amplified when the kids actually get on campus and begin to feel uncomfortable in their new environment. They are expected to manage their money, get along with their roommates, manage their time, complete rigorous college-level work, navigate a new area, make friends, stay in contact with old friends, and of course, do laundry. Going to sleepaway camp as child could give kids the experience of living away from home but with more support and less severe consequences if they mess up. By fostering these skills at camp, kids will gain confidence in themselves to live on their own. They've done it before and they can do it again. This can also be true for parents who will inevitably be stressed and worried when their little baby leaves for college. If you have the confidence that your child has accrued the skills he or she needs before they get to college, you can feel a little better knowing your kid can make it. And while there is no guarantee that your child will be 100% prepared, it is worth a try.